P.U.S.H. Ministries is looking to the community for help to fight hunger in our community with its “Feeding the 5,000” program.
The ministry’s food bank helps provide food for more than 130 families each month.
According to Pastor Jill Burcham, the program is named after a story in the Bible where Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000 of his followers by breaking apart five loaves of bread and two fish.

INDEPENDENCE ― A meeting is planned for June 6 to discuss plans to open a prison ministry at the new River North Correctional Center in Independence.
According to reports, neither the Virginia Department of Corrections nor Chaplain Service Prison Ministry of Virginia has funds to place a chaplain at the prison.
The Rev. Terri Gregory, pastor of the Independence United Methodist Church, said plans are to organize a “River North Ministry Council” made up of ministers and laypeople in the surrounding counties of Virginia and North Carolina.

HILLSVILLE — Voices will be raised in praise at the first-ever Gospel Day June 1 in Jail House Square in Hillsville, a musical event meant to appeal to locals and visitors alike.
David Young, Pipers Gap Ward representative on Hillsville Town Council, long wanted to stage a gospel music celebration to go along with the slate of beach bands that play the summer Downtown Celebrations.

HILLSVILLE — There will be no revival for Fellowship Wesleyan Church. Instead, the facility will be sold after the pastor moves to New York.
After Alan Page came to Hillsville in 2009, he tried to get the word out that the church was still pursuing its mission.
Many didn’t even know the church continued to hold services. Despite erecting a new cross in front of church on Virginia Street, visible from U.S. 58, people still thought it had been shuttered.

By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
The Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Galax will present its annual Easter musical this weekend, beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. with repeat performances on Saturday and Sunday.
“The Way” will tell about the life of Jesus Christ through drama, choir and orchestra performances.

By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
The months of hard work put into the Willing Partners thrift store in Galax can be seen in every corner.
Clothes on racks are color-coded and sorted by type in one area, while books are arranged neatly on a wall of shelves in another. Electronics are stacked in one section, and an impressive selection of furniture lines the back wall.

By SHAINA STOCKTON
Staff
Years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his dream of racial equality with the world. Society since that time has changed drastically, making King’s dream a reality.
Decades after his death, many still find the strength in his words to pursue their own dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.